Nothing like a little sibling rivalry. They still enjoy a lively discussion — and opposite opinions — when they talk to each other.

But on Sept. 29, Jane and Jeanne put their differences aside and stood together — both leaning a little to the left because of hip surgeries on that side — and celebrated their 95th birthdays.

They both still live on their own in their South Bend homes, long after their husbands have died. They both still play bridge. And they both love each other dearly, even though they sometimes try to hide those feelings from others.

They were born Jeanne and Jane Yockey and were in the Class of 1934 at Riley High School. Jane was the valedictorian and Jeanne was just a few spots behind.

Fraternal twins instead of identical, they had their own minds — and still do.

“And if we can keep our minds, getting to 100 would be OK with us,” Jeanne says.

They continue living their own lives but check on each other regularly over the phone. They usually play cards together once a week, although — wouldn’t you know it? — Jane prefers duplicate bridge and Jeanne is partial to contract bridge.

A week ago Saturday, their families threw them a party. Jane has two children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren while Jeanne has two, three and eight.

Jane loves parties. “The more the merrier,” she says. And so, of course, Jeanne tends to shy away from them while wondering what all the fuss is about.

Neither believes in that “twin stuff” — when one can sense what the other is doing or feeling or thinking. But when Jane broke her leg some years back, Jeanne broke her arm at almost the same time.

And both their hips went out at the same time. In fact, they were in the hospital together. “When we were asked if we wanted to be in the same room, I said, ‘I don’t think so,’” Jeanne says with a mischievous smile.

They admit that not much has changed in the five years since their 90th birthdays. Jane relies more and more on a cane, even occasionally needing a walker. “But I’ll go out to eat with anyone who asks,” she says.

Jeanne has been able to do some traveling, including to Utah for her granddaughter’s wedding and to Seattle to celebrate the 90th birthday of her and Jane’s kid sister Peggy. “My family has also built a cabin in Brown County and 17 of us were there at one time. Recently, they put in an outhouse, mainly for me.”

There are some advantages to getting old.

It’s also pretty neat to have a twin sister — and best friend — for 95 years.

When it was time for Jane and Jeanne to sit close together for the picture that accompanies this story, the photographer asked them to put their arms around each other. “That’s sort of hard to do,” Jeanne admitted.

She wasn’t kidding this time.

Their arms aren’t as limber as they used to be. But their feelings for one another remain as strong as ever.